A Beach Cottage DIY Vintage Plate Cake Stand & A Guest

It’s not Sarah here today, it’s lg here – I am Guest Posting at all things white and beachy…yes the ‘famous’ lg, mentioned numerous times on this blog and the one who invariably leads Sarah astray to drink coffee when she should be throwing bleach down the loo, or to drink copious amounts of smuggled alcohol in the cinema whilst ogling handsome young men with a surname like Kutcher. Yes, I am here today with you girls writing today’s post!

I have to say I am a leetle bit nervous – who wouldn’t be? Sarah makes it seem all so easy.

How can I possibly write something that lives up to the BC standards? (and she’s already told me not to expect too many comments from your end ‘cos you guys are pretty shy, are known as the BC Lurkers and prefer bribes for comments and I haven’t got any of those ;-) )

Yikes!

Well whatever, here I am with a DIY vintage cake stand for you.

So, what about me? Well I do have a proper name, but you can call me lg. I don’t have a blog, but in my fantasy life I would like to – take a few photos, ramble on about stuff and then have heaps of adoring fans (ha ha). I have more children than the national average and some of them correspond in time and space to the BC little darlings, which is how Mrs BC and I met. We bonded over coffee and connected over kids and husbands. I don’t live in a lovely Beach Cottage and I would say my “decorating style” (think throwing stuff here and there) is rather more colourful than the BC palette.

That’s not to say I don’t appreciate the esoteric delights of the white on white style, it is so calming don’t you think?

When I first met Mrs BC, I thought she was fab, but when I found out she loves a good browse in a charity op-shop, I knew we would be friends!

OMG how I love a good op shop! There is nothing better than the expectation of what you might find, don’t you think? It is a veritable treasure trove everytime you open the door. Who knows what you might find in there? I think that is what I love the most – the possibilities. Sometimes you come out empty handed, but often you find the exact thing you never knew you wanted. Invariably if you are looking for something specific – forget it – world-wide shortage! (where are you grey vintage woollen blankets???)

There is something about the yellowy lusciousness of the porcelain that I love. Like vanilla icecream or manila folders. And where did they come from? Whose dinner did they hold, were they at a wedding, a christening, a funeral?? I am usually drawn to things that catch my eye – a flower (but not too flowery) or a pattern or something.

But if I am op-shopping with Mrs BC, she will say ‘Oh that’s a Grindley – (huh?) or that little mark means it’s hand painted, with gold leaf (wha?). That lady knows a lot about vintage china.

BTW Did you know that the Famile BC even take vintage china when they are camping??? I mean camping in the rain and the mud, in tents eating burnt snags on your lap around a campfire camping. Vintage China Plates!!!!! When we first went camping together I thought they were completely mad but I was secretly a little jealous as I sipped tea out of a plastic mug (ugh!). Now I am thinking of joining them – just a small problem of convincing husband………..

(edit by Mrs BC: c’mon lg, you know the answer…favours ;-) )

So I was looking at these vintage plates and cups and things and a little idea began to form in my mind about how to reuse them – give them a different life. maybe they could be cake stands? Firstly I had to find the right combination. That involved a lot of too-ing and fro-ing between the op-shop aisles. Then when I was happy and had my treasures safely home, I got to work.

First, I measured and marked out the centre of the bottom of the plates

and then glued the tea-cup on with some liquid nails

- super high-strength clear

touched it up underneath with a bbq skewer

et voila!

I just love the way that something so hum-drum as a plate from a charity shop can be transformed into something so girly and lovely! You put a little cake on top, or a batch of freshly made cup cakes, a Lamington and every afternoon tea becomes an event.

Oh and I haven’t even told you the best part about the whole thing! Each of the cake stands cost about $5!!

I have experimented with a few different combos, but I have to say the Grindley teacup/plate cake stand is my fave. I have a feeling it has become a favourite around the BC cottage too. (Sarah you know what you have to give me to keep it hint: it’s white and has arm rests and you sit on it sipping mojitos) (edit from Mrs BC: Mate, you ain’t got no chance)

I am planning to give all my female loved ones home-made cake plates for Christmas. I know that some of them will love them at once. Some of them will smile and say thankyou and wonder where they can hide them until I come over next. But that’s ok, maybe one day when I do visit, they will drag them out, bung some muffins on them and then take a second look and wonder, ‘where has that plate been before?’

Anyway, I hope you liked it and thanks for having me over in BC Land

I guess I better just too, say G’day!

lg

p.s. a Lamington is a sponge cake that graces many an Australian Afternoon Tea table & is seen here on the vintage cake stand in BC Land

p.p.s. oh and I’ve been told that there’s a $200 Target Giftcard Giveaway going on in this place and you can comment on this post for an extra chance to enter ;-)

OMG how I would love a slice of that lamington cake! Yum that looks divine! Love the cake stand, never thought of using a tea cup as the stand, very clever. Thanks for the post lg. :) No need for bribes here, well not anymore ;). I’m not as shy to post comments though I still hesitate before clicking the ‘post comment’ button….

I think this is a brilliant idea, and one I am definitely going to copy ASAP. I actually have a single pink Grindley cup and plate that would work very well. I would be thrilled to receive a gift like this.

I love this idea! We are expecting a bit of Christmas company, and I plan to give the teacup / cake plate idea a whirl. Keep the inspirations coming. Thanks for a great post….and Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Awwww, I love a good story about how friends meet – nice. And I am loving that cake stand lg. My goodness girl, what a great idea! I’m seeing my loved ones getting one of those next Christmas too. The snow in your Christmassy photos is so cute mrs bc, wish I could post some of the real stuff over to you!

This really is a great idea! lg you should drop by more often, I would read your own blog BTW :-) Especially if you have as many great ideas as this cake stand. I was a little bit concerned with the liquid nails, but..why not, right? My Mum has so much cherished vintage crockery that she holds in high esteem, but I love the idea of finding these pieces in store & re-inventing them in this way. Not everyone would appreciate it as a gift, but the right person would LOVE it! Thanks again, lg – please come back another time.

So very nice to meet you LG. You have given me a new favourite quote which I would like permission to use as much as possible when in heavy op shopping mode (this mode is switched on several times a week). Here is the quote ~ “but often you find the exact thing you never knew you wanted” Words to live by ~ with thanks LG
alicia :0)
ps. noice cake stand!

Love the vintage cake stand. I’ve moved a few times in the past 8 years and all my op shop treasures have been carted round in boxes and are still packed. I dont dare go op shopping anymore just in case I am tempted to buy more stuff and my house is already full of it and I love it all too much to cull. Happy Christmas, cheers Marie

loving the cake stand. i have seen similar before, and love how they look together. i also like the tiered ones. i have some chipped saucers that i have been thinking of using to make into a lamp as we have an old unused light fixture.. another thing for the to do list.

Your cake plate is gorgeous! I think I might have to make a couple for gifts, and one for me ;). Thanks for guest posting, I can’t imagine how intimidating it is to fill those BC shoes! Your post was great, hope to hear from you again.

I’ve seen many of the self made cake stands – I think I like yours the best because it is a bit more delicate. Is the cake you mentioned difficult? Perhaps Sarah can put up the recipe one day – it looks wonderful. As for using china while camping, when one of our boys was young and swimming with the local park, a big families picnic was held after home meets. The husband and I always used good dishes, wine glasses, candles and had flowers and tablecloths. It didn’t take long for it to become a greatly anticipated event and it was such a great way to end a workday.

Hey LG! Who wouldn’t comment on such a great post or on an even greater idea! The cake stand is beautiful. How lucky are you two to have found eachother? Nothing beats a Op shoppin drinkin buddy! Nothing. O how I’d love to shop with you two! Have a great holiday! Yes please too for the chance to win a Target Gift Card! Wouldn’t that be heaven!!!

Yes, I’ve seen this done with an old vintage, think parfait type glass and glass plate. Of course, since I’ve been frequenting op shops to find said plates, which are usually literally a dime a dozen hehehe, they don’t have any, imagine. Well, I can wait baby!! I think it’s awesome to have a unique cake stand.

I love this idea!! Thank you so much for sharing – Do you know, I have been wondering how to comment on this blog for evva (my eyes just aren’t what they used to be – dang 40′s around the corner.) However, I made my darling daughter show me – LOL I couldn’t see the comment field (light font) LOL –

Glad you guest posted here LG. Very nice to meet you. If you would like to post several times a week, then I think you’d do great with your own blog, if not, I hope Mrs. BC will have you as a guest again in the not very distant future :)

I love this cake stand idea. I just made a cloche out of a glass vase and a brushed chrome cabinet knob that was leftover from my kitchen remodel. I need a cake plate so I will need to start the hunt for a good pair. Thanks for the idea lg.

Hi, girls! (Sarah and lg),
It is so lovely to sit and drink my morning coffee and see such fun and loyalty between friends like you.
Love the teacup cake stand; I bet Anthro will be copying this one!
One question, though, as it’s hard to tell in the photos-is it a full sized plate or a tea saucer or somewhere in between?
Thanks and Merry Christmas!

o.O. You know, a while back it was so popular with these very impractical tea mugs with no handles on them. They would make wonderful cake-stand bases…now I only need to bake a lovely cake, and find someone to share it with so I can have myself a tea party and a reason to use a stand like this. Oh, and I need to talk some sense into my cat, so he does not get into the idea to push it over the counter ledge, just before my tea guests arrive.

That is a very clever idea! I have an antiques shop and I am going to go look through the china for some cups and plates. Is it a saucer or a plate that you used for the top? If plate, is it a small dessert plate or a dinner /luncheon plate? Can’t figure it out from the photo, but it sure is cute!

What a great friend you are, LG, to pinch hit…! I bet you have tons of fun together while the hubbys and kids are away…Wonderful blog post, and please post the recipe for the cake! I loved your idea of the china cake plate stand for gifts…And may try it here on the West Coast, USA, in the New Year 2011! Merry Christmas and I hope you’ll do a guest turn again in the future!

Oh, you guys make me sooo envious! Crafty and live in such a beautiful place….all the while I am stuck in Pennsylvania where it is about to turn frigid and windy. I don’t think our high temp. this week is to go over 35 degrees!

What an absolutely charming friend you are, lg! I love the cake stand – it’s quite perfect. I just finished making “a batch” of Vanilla Sugar from one of Sarah’s recent posts and now this is a worthy Next Project. Thank you!

Pleased to meet you LG. Feel like I know you though, through Sarah’s blog. This project I absolutely love! I’ve seen this done with a wine glass or goblet and plate, even saucers and glasses, but not with a coordinating china cup. It looks just charming, and the cake by the way looks deeeelish! I love the pretty sliver and green candy balls that match the cake stand. An inspirational project indeed. Hugs from America, tami

I love this! I have bunches of teleflore vases that are on my to-do list of turning them into cake stands. I want to do the shortest ones with luncheon/dessert plates for trays of cookies and the taller ones with saucers for tart stands or cup-cake stands. This is a beautiful take on the project and liquid nails is a great adhesive for it. I was looking at different epoxies at the hardware store, but wasn’t sure what to go with.

Great post lg, and nice to meet you… A picture of yourself would be nice… Please?… The cake stands are awesome and I’d love to be on the receiving end of one… Your family is lucky to be getting one for Christmas.

Thanks for sharing lg! I have a plate that is old and creamy that belonged to the lady that used to own our house. I have kept it because I am a sentimental sap, but it would be perfect for this. Of course, now I must go treasure hunting for the perfect cup, mix up some famous BC muffins, and holdiays – here I come!

LG, this is fabulous! I adore vintage china and am always picking it up at garage sales, flea markets, etc. But I have a hard time figuring out what to do with all of it. So I love your idea of a cake plate and tea cup. I’m thinking of two people I want to do this for and can’t wait to try it. Come back anytime and share your fun ideas! Great post.

Loved your post lg! Vintage china on a camping trip? I might just do that with the china pieces I’ve picked up at the thrift shops. If I am lucky enough to win the Target Card….I would use it towards the family I am sponsoring “Secret Santa”. My sons and I have sponsored a family every year since they were little, this year it is a single mom, like myself, with small children. We have always had it difficult financially, but as I have always explained to my sons….there is someone who is having it harder than us.

The cake plate is perfection! I am off to the pantry now to see what I’ve got the glue is all ready out…. It will be perfect along side my overturned wine glasses and brandy snifters that I use as candle stands! Creamy white soy candles of course!

Was that a bribe for comments, lg?
I was going to comment anyway just to say that you are as delightful as Sarah, I can see how you two bonded!
Thanks for the tutorial on the cake stand, really good idea! Now I have to google a recipe for Lamington.
Bye, and come back for another visit sometime, it was fun!

You two sound like me and my best friend Kate, a transplanted yankee to this part of the deep south. Iced tea for us and hot afternoons of plundering through junk stores ! We have been known to pack up the car and head hours out to fine a new place to plunder. Just doenst get much better than that does it ! So glad Sarah has a buddie that shares of love of things vintage.

Now on to the important stuff….THAT CAKE ! I googled it when Sarah was talking about her Lifesaving carnival and have to say I gotta have that recipe ! Chocloate sponge cake and coconut????? YUMMY Give it up girls !

hard to believe there are lurkers with all the comments that appear after each posting. HOWEVER it occurs to me that i may be called a lurker because i don’t comment each time. but in my defense, do you want to read “great, beautiful, wonderful etc” every time? i run out of superlatives. the guest blogs are wonderful changeups. welcome lg. what a lovely friendship you enjoy with the bcers. happy times to you all, jkj

I’m one of those dreaded lurkers, but I’m popping out of hibernation to say WELCOME and I love your cake plate. :-) What a perfectly delightful thing to do with the heaps of teacups and mismatched plates I’ve collected over the years. :-)

had to laugh when i read the part on that some won’t know what to do with it…. I know people like that. And then there are the ones that will be totally in love with it! Totally know what you are saying!
And i am thinking i may just try it… sounds very fun! Thanks for sharing

DARN, I was gonna comment, assuming there was no bribe. But I am all IN for a Target gift card. That is my FAVORITE place to shop and I can rarely get out of that place for under $75. One would think that would stop me from going there too often, but it does not :( lol!

The plates are charming. In the past, i would have been one of those people to smile and then hide it! ;) Now, maybe as I get older, I dunno, I think these ideas are amazing! I think my Mom has some old China down in her basement and I might just give this a try. Probably the only way I would ever USE her china! ;)

Just HAD to TELL you ‘how inspiring’ your little ‘vintage recycle’ idea is for me …!…(normally I just lurk in the cyber shadows!!!)

I adore (& store!… much to my Mr BC’s minimalist distaste!) vintage china & I ‘lust’ after cake stands, that are normally out of my BC budget!!!… but you have perfectly melded my two loves together & given me the inspiration I needed for a holiday project!…

Thank YOU Thank YOU THANK YOU xxx

ps: you two sound like a ‘formidable’ team!… hee hee
pps: off to get some ‘liquid nails’… do you think they sell it @Tar-Jay???

Now how come I haven’t thought of this dainty little idea! What a great post, thanks for sharing, LG! I want to make some of these for my gal friends and I still have time left before Christmas! So cute and inexpensive. I love to make the ordinary, extraordinary! Thanks again…..

Love it!! I have some old vintage plates and cups lurking in the back of the cupboard that I feel will now find a new lease of life!! And the lamington cake on top looks perfect with its little sparkly cachous (is that what they are called?) sprinkled over!! And a target gift card would be welcome in this house to spend on pressies for the cherubs :)

Loving the cake stand. Yes, I too have seen something similar with glasses (think parfait style), and glass plates. The more decorative the better. Since I first saw the idea, I visited the local op shops in search of the ever present dime-a-dozen glasses and plates. Of course, I haven’t found one anywhere. Hmmmm!! I too had the idea they would make unique and pretty gifts. Anyway….I can wait baby. They will return one day, and I’ll be there ready. Good work LG.

You just gotta keep going back – if you are looking for something guarranteed it won’t be there! btw I finally found the vintage woollen blankets after months of searching. They were cream instead of grey, but will be perfect to recover my couch – but that might be another post!!!

Hi, lg, so nice to have you here! I am loving this as a gift idea. Tomorrow is consignment day at my op shop, so now I know what I’ll be on the hunt for, aside from the fab thing I never knew I wanted ;-)
P.S. I really want to give my li’l sis a $200 Target gift card for Xmas!

I am sorry, but I can’t take the credit for that Lamington Sponge, but they are pretty easy to make – if a little messy. Basically you dip vanilla sponge cake in runny chocolate icing/frosting (so it soaks right into the cake – yum!) and then dip it again in shaved or dessicated coconut. The traditional lamington is a bar shape (for one person), and it is best made from day old sponge (holds together better). If you don’t want to make your own cake, just buy a pre-made slab. Fancy lamingtons have cream and jam in the middle too.

For some reason I haven’t made it here in a while, but now that I am back I realize I missed it! I will definitely be making more of an effort to remember to come back. And what a great post to read as my triumphant return! Haha. I just love the tea cup cake stand and will most certainly be trying it out! Thank you lovely guest blogger.

Wow! WOW! Two simple things put together to make something so lovely and graceful and especially when you have just one of something – not enough to make an eating set. I will be making one of these and probably some for gifts! Thanks so much for the idea!

well thank you Rachel, that is the aim in BC land….to go op-shopping when you should be doing something a whole lot more productive, to buy and consume lamingtons, or even, shudder, bake them yourself and to salivate and crave….yep we aim to please ;-)

hey lg, great post! I too have tried the upside down cup with a plate on top thing but just with boring old white run-of-the-mill white plates. Yours looked much prettier so will be scouring mum’s cupboards for something vintage. Well done!

OK – you got me too, tomorrow I’m off to the thrifts to nab some plates and cups to whip up some cake plates. Then I’m going to stop at the bakery and get me a lamington cake…not exactly sure what that is, but I think it’s similar to Coconut Bars. I can’t wait till they open – maybe I’ll have it for breakfast.

Great post lg – count me in for theTarJay giveaway, and I hope to see you again!
Marsha

No fears! You did a wonderful post! And I love your cake stands…I’ve done something similar with parfait glasses and pretty plates, and they are always pointed out and people ask where I bought them! The answer “here and there” always leaves them wondering :-)

G’day~Mrs Lg nice to have you here.I think you did a fabulous job hosting, you should start a blog! The cake plate is rad and I would love to serve cake off of one of these.I may just have to try it.~Cheers Kim

So cute! I’ve been wanting to try to make some cake stands with those old candle sticks that you see everywhere, but I hate the thought of painting my dishes. I don’t want to go through the hassle of using dollies EVERY TIME I want to use my stand. But this! I wouldn’t have to paint it if I found matching cups and plates!!! Genius! :D

Well I must say at first I was a skeptic too…then I looked at it closer and sure enough that cake stand is darling! I totally need to try that. Funny thing is I NEVER take a second look at china when I’m junking. But my momma seems to be drawn to it…I thought that was just cause she’s OLD, but won’t she be tickled if I could make her one of these. Thanks for the sweet blog lg. I very much love this awesome website!

I just love this idea! It would make a wonderful gift for someone.
I looked at other crafty things on your site and they are wonderful
also. Thank you so much for sharing your ideas with us that we
can put a smile on someones elses face……..:)

The vintage teacup/plate cake stand is so lovely, and so practical. I have been inspired to find these items and make a few (gifts).
I will try to make a Lamington cake, as well.
Thank you for these wonderful ideas that you have presented.

I adore this idea! Being a plate and cup collector of sorts I now have a new quest. Thank you for such a fun and simple idea!

G'day!

I'm Sarah, stylist, photographer & editor at abeachcottage.com. I live in an old white cottage, near the sea in Australia with a battered old deck & a big old fig tree out the back, stripped wooden floors, old sash windows & a jumble of vintage furniture.
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